Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea in 1846 and 1847

Published in 1850, this is an account of an 1846–7 expedition to survey the northern coastline of North America.

John Rae (Author)

9781108057813, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 June 2013

266 pages, 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 1.5 cm, 0.34 kg

In the mid-nineteenth century, the northern coastline of North America was of particular interest to the Hudson's Bay Company as it was believed to hold the key to the elusive North-West Passage, a trade route from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Recruited to lead a team to survey part of this forbidding region, the Scottish explorer John Rae (1813–93) undertook his first expedition during 1846–7. It was remarkable not only for its success, but also because Rae's was the first crew to overwinter in the Arctic. Unlike other Victorian explorers, Rae embraced the culture of the Inuit and learnt to live off the land like them, which enabled him to complete his survey. First published in 1850, this journal relates the details of his journey as well as how he and his men survived the extreme conditions. It remains a valuable document in the history of Arctic exploration.

1. Origin and plan of the expedition
2. Depart from Churchill
3. Receive a visit from a female party
4. State of things at Repulse Bay
5. Winter arrangements completed
6. Set out for the north
7. Preparations for exploring the coast of Melville Peninsula
8. Occurrences at Fort Hope during the absence of the exploring party
9. Voyage from Repulse Bay to York Factory
Appendix. List of mammalia
List of birds
List of fishes
List of plants
Specimens of rocks
Dip of the needle and force of magnetic attraction at various stations
Abstract of meteorological journal from September 1846 to August 1847.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]